MapQuest has relaunched its mapping APIs, calling them the MapQuest Platform: Free Edition. I’m not exactly sure how this works: MapQuest has had a free API along with commercial partnerships; I don’t know if this is meant to replace both, or is simply a newer, better iteration of existing free APIs. Also, note that MapQuest has a developer blog. Via All Points Blog.

Previously: MapQuest ActionScript API; MapQuest (Finally) Has an API.

Update, March 10: Digital Earth Blog has this to say: “All in all, it’s a very nice upgrade. However, it still falls far short of the power of any other other three platforms. As a developer, I have absolutely no interest in using them for building a mashup, as Google already handles it far better and I’m already more familiar with their tools.”